Hong Xiaoduo had no idea how she got back to the Peony Hall. She was completely dazed. After returning to her seat, she didn't even notice that several dishes had been served on the table, nor did she notice the expressions on everyone's faces.
Compared to her, Mu Rongjing, who followed behind her, was in a completely different state.
Even the top scholar, radiant and full of energy, riding a horse through the streets, couldn't compare to his current triumphant mood.
Everyone looked at him with questioning eyes: Young Master, what did you do to Xiao Duo? What terrible things did you say that made her, known in the martial arts world as the Death-Taking Rakshasa, seem to have lost her soul?
Fortunately, everyone knew Mu Rongjing's character and was also aware of Hong Xiaoduo's prowess, so they didn't suspect that he had bullied her by touching her inappropriately.
"The food is served so quickly! It looks very good. Come, come, let Rongjing toast everyone." Mu Rongjing said with great pleasure as he picked up the wine pot and stood up to toast each of the officials.
"Hey, Prince Mu, tone it down a bit. You're acting like a groom." As she walked up to Dong Yuefan, Dong Yuefan couldn't help but whisper a reminder.
Even though it was whispered, Quan Jinghuai, Yuan Xi, and the others heard it clearly and agreed with Dong Yuefan's words.
Yuanxi, Ziming, and Haidong, even their own people, couldn't stand it anymore. Their master was being too arrogant. What should have made them happy for their master now felt like they had stirred up a wave of hatred, and they really wanted to beat him up.
Despite being warned by Dong Yuefan, Mu Rongjing gave a perfunctory reply, saying "yes, yes, yes," but his expression remained unchanged.
All the adults' wine glasses were filled, and when the wine pot was empty, the person went to a small table to the side and filled it up. After pouring himself a cup, he remembered looking at the wine cup in front of Hong Xiaoduo, picked up the wine pot next to her, and poured her a full cup as well.
On this special day, she should want to have a drink, right?
"Come, come, let Rongjing drink first as a sign of respect." Mu Rongjing picked up the wine cup and drank it all in one gulp. He felt that the wine in this restaurant was really good. He had never drunk such fragrant and mellow wine in his life.
All the adults present raised their wine cups. Hong Xiaoduo, who seemed to have lost her soul, watched everyone's actions and subconsciously followed suit, raising her own wine cup and drinking it all in one gulp. She didn't even taste the wine.
Her mind was in turmoil, and her thoughts were equally chaotic. Even when she first met Tian Shu and the other seven and called them "Mom," she wasn't this confused.
What's wrong with me today?
"Xiaoduo, this candied radish shreds is very crisp and refreshing, you should try it." A gentle and pleasant male voice came from beside her, and a slender and handsome hand reached out to her, picking up a piece of evenly cut radish shreds with chopsticks and placing it on her plate.
Hong Xiaoduo turned her head following the withdrawn hand and met a handsome face with a smile. Murong Jing? Yes, she had just gone out to chat with him.
What were we talking about again?
Hong Xiaoduo slowly recalled what had just happened, and the memories came easily. As she remembered what he had said to her, her thoughts gradually became clearer.
He said he likes himself, and has liked himself for a long time!
He said he was afraid he would regret it later if he didn't speak out!
He said he didn't want to force her to do anything; he just wanted her to know that he knew she had no plans to get married right now, and that if she wanted to get married in the future, could she consider him first?
He also said that he knew her requirements for her husband, which was to be with her for life, to have only her for the rest of his life. He said he swore to God that he could keep his promise.
If he breaks his vow and falls in love with someone else, may he be struck by lightning, die a horrible death, and live a lonely life.
Thinking of this, Hong Xiaoduo reached for the brocade pouch at her waist. Inside was an extra item—a jade pendant. He had slipped it in, telling her to keep it for now, as it represented that he believed she was the only person he truly loved in this life.
She said that only when she took it out and wore it did it mean she accepted him.
Hong Xiaoduo gradually calmed down and was speechless at herself. How could she be so powerless against him?
Just hearing what he said has stirred up my emotions so much?
Am I too naive? If so, what if I meet a seasoned lover? After a few sweet words, wouldn't I just fall into their trap and be completely manipulated?
No way! Even if I've never been in a serious relationship, I'm from the modern world. How can I be so useless? I was confessed to by an ancient man and I'm completely defenseless?
Although the person who confessed to her was indeed quite good in many ways, she was not from this dynasty!
Hong Xiaoduo remembered what she had just told him: don't mess with her.
Actually, I had already warned myself that since I was unsure of what would happen in the future, I should not touch on matters of love here. Otherwise, if I became emotionally attached to the other person and could no longer stay here, and I demanded that the other person be devoted to me, wouldn't that just make them depressed and lonely for the rest of their lives?
One shouldn't be so selfish. If you're not absolutely certain you can take responsibility for someone's feelings, then don't go and hurt them.
Thinking about all this, Hong Xiaoduo felt clear-headed. No matter what, she was still moved by his feelings for her. Even if she didn't accept them, she should respect them and not trample on them.
The jade pendant should be returned to him, but it's not appropriate to do so now. Seeing how happy he is, Hong Xiaoduo really can't bear to do that.
He didn't do anything wrong; he just bravely confessed his feelings to the girl he liked.
I should feel fortunate to have met such a person in this dynasty!
Let's leave it at that for now. Anyway, I haven't given my consent. And even if he likes me a lot, he won't stay by my side forever.
He couldn't stay in Red Willow City any longer; he should leave as soon as possible. He shouldn't follow any longer.
Hong Xiaoduo picked up her chopsticks and ate some of the other dishes on the table first. She nodded and praised the dishes, saying they were indeed good. Then she picked up the candied radish shreds that Mu Rongjing had just given her. They were indeed as crisp and refreshing as he had said.
At this moment, the steamed shrimp and crab were also served. Tianquan quickly ate two and then secretly asked the waiter if the takeout dishes were ready. The waiter told him that they were not all prepared yet.
At the two tables, Yuan Xi and the other two, along with Mu Rongjing, often ate good food. Dong Yuefan, as the son of Prime Minister Dong, had eaten his fill of delicacies.
However, when it came to eating shrimp and crab, they weren't as skilled as the younger ones from Tian Shu.
The deliverymen were dumbfounded, wondering if these young men and women had grown up by the sea.
Judging from the way he peels the shrimp and dismantles the crab, he's clearly an expert who eats these things often.
Mu Rongjing wanted to show off by peeling crabs for the woman next to her, but seeing how fast and skillful she was, he felt clumsy and had no choice but to eat them himself.
He really wanted to say to her, "How do you peel them so quickly and well? Teach me."
But then I thought, I can't be too shameless. I've already taken the most important step, so I can't be too hasty now. As long as I put my heart into it, opportunities will come eventually...
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